Leak detection
AssigneeSynovate Limited
InventorSimon John Langdale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application describes a method of determining a leak location in a pipeline, comprising processing captured image data associated with at least one image captured from within a pipeline to identify a change in temperature of an interior surface of the pipeline responsive to a change in temperature of a fluid leaking from the pipeline to determine a leak location in the pipeline. A system and apparatus for determining a leak location in a pipeline are also described.
Claims18
A method of determining a leak location in a pipeline, comprising:
- processing captured image data associated with at least one image captured from within a pipeline to identify a change in temperature of an interior surface of the pipeline responsive to a change in temperature of a fluid leaking from the pipeline to determine a leak location in the pipeline;
- capturing the at least one image at a first location along the pipeline;
- and
- comparing the captured image data with reference image data associated with a corresponding reference image obtained at a location within the pipeline substantially corresponding to the first location.
A system for determining a leak location in a pipeline, comprising:
- apparatus for locating in a pipeline and comprising a device for capturing images of an interior surface of the pipeline;
- a controller configured to process captured image data associated with at least one image captured from within the pipeline to identify a change in temperature of the interior surface of the pipeline responsive to a change in temperature of a fluid leaking from the pipeline to determine a leak location in the pipeline;
- and
- a heater for heating a portion of the fluid flowing along the pipeline.
Apparatus for determining a leak location in a pipeline, comprising:
- a body for controllably moving along an interior of a pipeline;
- an image capturing device mounted to the body for capturing images of an interior surface of the pipeline;
- and
- a heater for actively heating a portion of fluid flowing along the pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.